Traverse is a locally-based
band featuring Liz Brown on flute, Carol Mandigo on guitar, and Bernd
Neumann on fiddle. Together they play traditional music from the
various Celtic cultures and contemporary American contradance
tunes."

Garry comes from Mohawk, NY and is a long-time contradancer himself. He uses his love of historical interpretation to create an unique mix of traditional and contemporary dances, ranging from American Revolution era to 21st century modern dances.

General Information about ODS dances

They are held at the First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Pioneer and Church Streets in Cooperstown.

Singles and beginners are welcomed as no dance experience or partner is necessary. All dances are taught, with more instruction for beginners during the earlier dances.

Suggested donation is $8 for adults, $4 for teen-agers 18 and under and students and free for children 12 and under.

For information about specific dances or contradancing in general, call (607) 965-8232 or (607) 547-8164.

For questions about this site, call (607) 547-8164

What is Contradancing?

Contra Dancing is a form of American folk dance in which the dancers form a set of two parallel lines which run the length of the hall. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves that ends with couples having progressed one position up or down the set. As the sequence is repeated, a couple will eventually dance with every other couple in the set. (From a pamphlet called 'A Contra Dance Primer', promoting Hamilton Country Dancers' events, first published during their 1992-93 season.)

For more varied (and humorous) answers to this question, check out the website

Contradance Video

Other Contradance Websites

Thanks So Much!

Again this year, we have been fortunate to be awarded a grant for our 2017 contradances. Thanks so much to the Chenango Arts Council.

These dances are made possible with public funds from the Chenango Arts Council's Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.

Money from this grant is used solely for the musicians and it enables us to present the wonderful performers you are used to hearing at our dances. And again this year, the money has allowed us to add a special theme dance, the Fall Harvest Contradanceon October 6th.

As always, we are very grateful for the grant money and the opportunity it gives us when selecting our bands.

In addition, we say 'thank you' to our dancers for their generous donations of money and refreshments and for their continued support in attending our dances!